X-ray & Optical Images of VV 340
These images of VV 340 show X-ray data from Chandra
and optical data from Hubble. The two galaxies shown
here are in the early stage of an interaction that will eventually lead to
them merging in millions of years. The Chandra data shows that the northern
galaxy contains a rapidly growing supermassive black hole that is heavily
obscured by dust and gas. Data from other wavelengths shows that the two
interacting galaxies are evolving at different rates.
(Credit: X-ray NASA/CXC/IfA/D.Sanders et al; Optical NASA/STScI/NRAO/A.Evans et al)